THE Daihatsu Sirion might not be the prettiest car in the supermini league, but it's the only one in its price range which comes with a more practical five door body and a five year guarantee.
I recently took the 1.5-litre model on a long haul and it handled the trip with no problem.
The engine is willing and punchy but not particularly smooth as revs rise and it offers little extra performance over the 1.3 model.
There is a lot of noise once on the move, from wind, the engine and the road, worsened by different surfaces.
I had to turn the stereo up to be able to hear it and then down again in slow traffic.
The road holding is great fun and the handling very safe even when pressed very hard.
The ride is also very good for a small car - better than most in the class and of course it comes with five years guarantee and breakdown cover, which is superb.
Interior
It comes with four electric windows, remote locking, aircon and height adjustment for driver's seat and column.
The boot is big enough for two small cases and the interior huge for the size of car with good legroom front and rear.
FAST FACTS
Daihatsu Sirion
Price: £10,280
Mechanical: 102bhp, 1,495cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 109mph
0-62mph: 10.1 seconds.
Combined mpg: 45
Insurance group: 10
CO2 emissions: 145g/km
BIK rating: 17 per cent
Warranty: 5yrs/ unlimited mileage
Marks: 9/10
Main rival: Suzuki Swift, Vauxhall Corsa.